Right On Cue

Kevin Firth has qualified for the last 16 of the ENGLISH AMATEUR MASTERS CHAMPIONSIP at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds after comfortably winning his group matches.

The Bradford potter opened with a break of 44 to go 1-0 up against John McGrath and doubled his advantage with a run of 70.

Frame three did not go to plan despite making another 44 break, losing on the black, but normal service was resumed with a 48 to wrap up the match 3-1.

Rob Spencer was Firth’s next opponent but could do little as last season’s runner-up fired in breaks of 44, 48 and 65 to win 3-0.

Steve Judd, Firth’s conqueror in the final last time, also made it through to the latter stages despite competing in a particularly tough group.

Judd still made the highest break, one of 127, as a rematch at English Finals weekend remained a possibility.

The first round of the HEY’S TROPHY starts tomorrow night, with first-leg ties as follows: Tong Libs A v Wibsey Libs A; Birkenshaw Libs v Bradford Irish; Upper Bolton Cons B v Queensbury Cons B; Salthorn WMC v Windhill Cons; Fairweather WMC v Little Horton Unity; Eccleshill Victoria Cons A v East Ward; Harold Club A v Great Horton Cricket Club; Eccleshill WMC A v Harold Club B; Northcote Cons v Upper Bolton Cons A; Wibsey Libs B v Eccleshill Victoria Cons B; Lilycroft WMC v Eccleshill WMC B; Great Horton Cons v Laisterdyke WMC B; Laisterdyke WMC A v East Bowling Unity A; Laisterdyke Cricket Club v Undercliffe Cricket Club B; Queensbury Cons A v Tong Libs B; Undercliffe Cricket Club A v Buttershaw Lane WMC.

Second legs are scheduled for Thursday, January 5. Full details of draws and handicaps have been sent to all clubs by tournament director Eddie Ratcliffe (07790-379832).

* Bradford’s representative snooker teams are in YORKSHIRE INTER-DISTRICT LEAGUE action this weekend.

Defending Division One champions Bradford No 1 host Sheffield No 2 at Undercliffe Cricket Club on Sunday (7.30pm), while Bradford No 2 travel to take on Sheffield No 1 in Division Two.